The City of Tallinn, the Estonian Jewish Congregation, and the NGO Estonian Jewish Community (MTÜ Eesti Juudi Kogukond) signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding today to ensure the sustainable development of the Tallinn Jewish School and the creation of a modern learning environment at the historic Karu Street building.

The agreement affirms the parties’ shared commitment to strengthening the school’s role as a bearer of Jewish culture and language in Tallinn’s educational landscape.

Mayor of Tallinn Jevgeni Ossinovski stated: “Tallinn is an open capital to the world, which means we deeply value the cultural diversity of the people who live here. The Jewish community in Tallinn is historic and vibrant, as reflected in its independent organisation of education, culture, and religious life. We see the historic Jewish school as a place that preserves and strengthens the cultural identity of Jews in both Tallinn and Estonia, and serves as a cornerstone of community life. The city government’s goal is to provide the school with long-term security and offer students a modern learning environment.”

The historic building of the Tallinn Jewish School on Karu Street celebrated its 100th anniversary last year. Designed by architect Erich Jacoby, the building opened on 2 February 1924 and met the highest educational standards of its time. Even then, the school provided high-quality education and played an important role in the cultural and educational life of the Jewish community.

“The future begins with this signature—a signature rooted in three thousand years of history. This is not just ink on paper, but a shared belief that education is a sacred heritage, passed down from generation to generation as part of our identity. The strength of the Jewish people has always been based on the preservation of knowledge, self-awareness, and respect between generations. The Tallinn Jewish School is not just a school—it is a bridge between past and future, a place where values take root and the spirit can grow. Today, we are not merely looking toward the future with hope—we are building it, together and with responsibility,” said Efraim Shmuel Kot, Board Member of the Estonian Jewish Congregation and Chief Rabbi of Estonia.

According to Alla Jakobson, representative of the Estonian Jewish Community, the signed agreement reflects a shared will to preserve and develop the legacy of the Jewish school. “To us, this memorandum of understanding carries deep symbolic and practical meaning. It represents a joint commitment to safeguard and strengthen the unique Jewish school that has, for decades, been a part of Estonia’s cultural and educational landscape. We see the upcoming renovation as a chance to give the school new life—to create a modern, warm, and safe environment where children not only gain knowledge but also shape their identity, drawing from values that have guided earlier generations. We are sincerely grateful to all who believe in this path and are ready to walk it with us,” said Jakobson.

The Tallinn Jewish School operates in the building at 16 Karu Street, which the city currently leases until 31 August 2027. The parties have agreed that as of 1 September 2027, the Estonian Jewish Congregation will transfer the use of the property—including the existing building, the planned extension, and surrounding grounds—to the city for a period of 30 years to ensure the continuation of the school’s operations.

The city undertakes to fully renovate the building within five years, construct the planned extension, and transform the entire school complex into a modern learning environment that is safe, inspiring, and supportive of student development.

Starting from 2027, the city plans to establish an additional teaching position at the school to support the teaching of Jewish language and culture, recognising the cultural contribution of minority communities to Tallinn’s education system.

The Tallinn Jewish School provides quality education for students in grades 1 through 12. The school has a distinct cultural identity centered on preserving Jewish values and traditions. Its planned maximum capacity is 324 students: up to 24 students per class in the basic school level and up to 36 students per class in the upper secondary level.